How to Get More Google Reviews: The ULTIMATE Guide for Small Businesses (2025)

Google reviews are a must for small businesses. They are how customers find you, judge you, and decide whether to spend their money with you. Most people turn to Google first when searching for a local product or service. That means your reputation is on display before anyone even clicks on your website.

A strong rating with recent reviews immediately sets you apart. Customers want to see that your business is active and trusted right now. Old or stale reviews don’t help. In 2025, Google prioritises businesses that show fresh, ongoing activity.

Reviews also make a big difference in how visible you are on Google. When someone searches for a local service, like “plumber near me” or “electrician in Birmingham”, Google often shows a map with the top three local businesses. That’s called the “map pack” and it’s the first thing people see.

Google decides who shows up there based partly on reviews: how many you have, how good they are, and how recent they are. The more genuine reviews you collect, the better your chances of being one of those top three results. And that spot can bring in a steady flow of calls and enquiries without you paying for ads.

More reviews = more visibility on Google's result page

On top of that, reviews are social proof. Customers trust what other customers say. Positive reviews give new customers confidence and make them more likely to choose your business. A lack of reviews, fake reviews, or poor ratings can turn people away before you even have a chance to talk to them.

In short, Google reviews impact the three things that matter most: visibility, trust, and conversions. More reviews mean more people finding you, trusting you, and ultimately buying from you, fueling business growth and meeting customer needs.

Before you can start racking up Google reviews, your profile needs to be spot-on. A half-baked or outdated profile not only confuses customers but can make them click away to a competitor.

1. Claim and Verify Your Business

If you haven’t already, grab your Google Business Profile. Verification is usually a postcard, phone call, or email. Once it’s yours, you are in control of what customers see. This is the first step in managing your online reputation effectively.

2. Fill Out Every Detail

Don’t leave anything blank. Include:

• Business name and categories

• Address, phone number, website

• Opening hours, including special hours for holidays

• Services or products you offer

• Photos and videos that show off your business

The more complete your profile, the higher you will rank in local search rankings and the more confident customers will feel choosing you.

3. Show Off Your Business With Photos

Good visuals matter. Post pictures of your team, your workspace, your products, and anything that shows customers what you are about. Profiles with photos get more clicks and more attention. A builder might share before-and-after job photos on their Google profile, alongside reviews, to show off their work. Google review widgets on your website can also display recent reviews alongside visuals, reinforcing consumer trust.

4. Write a Description That Works

Keep it short, clear, and real. Explain what you do, why you are good at it, and why customers should pick you. Skip the jargon and write like a human.

5. Keep It Fresh

Update your profile whenever something changes, like your opening hours, the services you offer, or new photos of your work. Old information makes people lose trust quickly. Keeping your profile up to date also helps with local SEO, which is how Google decides which local businesses to show at the top of search results. The more accurate and active your profile looks, the more likely you are to appear when someone nearby searches for the services you offer.

6. Turn On Messaging and Reviews

Make it easy for customers to contact you and leave feedback. Reviews are your growth engine, so get this set up right from the start.

Getting Google reviews does not have to be complicated. The key is asking at the right time, making it easy for customers, and keeping the process natural. Here are nine proven ways to boost your reviews for small businesses and online companies alike.

1. Feature Review Links on Your Website

Your website is one of the easiest places to collect reviews. Add a clear, visible “Leave us a Google Review” button on your footer, contact page, or after a purchase. Make it simple for customers to find and click. The easier you make it, the more likely they are to leave feedback.

Google makes it easy to generate a direct review link for your business. Once you have it, use a link shortener such as bit.ly to create a clean, easy-to-share link. Short links are easier to include in emails, SMS, social posts, or QR codes. This small step can significantly increase review submissions.

2. Send Follow-Up Emails

Follow-up emails are a goldmine for reviews. After a purchase or service, send a short, friendly email asking for feedback. Timing is important so send it within a day or two while the experience is still fresh. Include a direct link to your Google review page and explain why their review matters. A personal touch goes a long way.

3. Use SMS Review Requests

Text messages are fast, personal, and hard to ignore. If you’re a plumber, for example, send a follow-up text after finishing a boiler repair with a direct review link. SMS works particularly well for online transactions, quick services, or repeat customers who are already familiar with your business.

4. Use Surveys to Filter Your Best Customers

Surveys help you focus on the happiest customers. Send a short post-purchase survey with a simple rating scale. High scorers can be directed to your Google review page while lower scores can be handled privately. This ensures you are asking the people most likely to leave positive feedback.

5. Add a QR Code

QR codes make leaving reviews almost effortless. Print a code linking to your Google review page on receipts, menus, packaging, business cards, or in-store signage. Customers can scan the code and leave a review immediately without having to search or type.

An electrician could add a QR code on their invoice so customers can leave a review before you even drive off.

6. Remind Customers on Social Media

Social media is not just for marketing. Share occasional posts with your review link, thank customers for their support, and explain how their feedback helps your business grow. Keep the posts casual, friendly, and concise.

7. Add a Review CTA in Customer Accounts

For online businesses, make leaving a review part of the user experience. Include a “Leave a Google Review” button in dashboards, order history pages, or support sections. This makes leaving feedback simple and natural, and reminds customers while they are already engaged with your brand.

8. Ask Every Happy Customer

Never underestimate the power of asking directly. Start with your happiest, most loyal customers because they are the most likely to leave a positive review. Keep your request personal and genuine. For example: “Hi Sarah, we are glad you loved your order. Could you take a minute to leave a Google review? It really helps us grow.”

Collecting Google reviews doesn’t have to be a headache. With the right tools, you can make it simple for customers to leave feedback, save time for your team, and build a consistent online reputation management system.

The Basics

Have these basic tools nailed down and you'll be building a good bank of reviews in no time.

Google’s Built-In Tools

Google Business Profile gives you the tools you need to start collecting reviews immediately. You can generate a direct review link that customers can click to leave feedback in seconds. Share this link in emails, text messages, social posts, and even QR codes. It is free, easy to use, and a great starting point for any business looking to improve Google search results visibility.

QR Code Generators

QR codes are a quick, easy way for customers to leave a review without typing a long URL. Tools like QRCode Monkey or Beaconstac let you create custom codes linking directly to your Google review page. These codes can be added to receipts, menus, packaging, business cards, or in-store signage.

Link Shorteners

Once you have a Google review link, use a link shortener such as Bitly or TinyURL to make it cleaner and easier to share. Short links look better in emails, texts, social posts, and QR codes. They are also easier for customers to type if needed and can include tracking to see which channels generate the most reviews.

The Extras

Want to take it one step further? These more advanced tools are perfect for small businesses looking to streamline their review process.

Review Management Platforms

Review Management Platforms are tools that help you ask for and reply to reviews. They can send review requests via email or SMS, track who has responded, and even help you reply to reviews quickly. Some platforms include analytics that show which channels drive the most reviews and highlight trends in customer experience.

There are loads of review tools out there - Podium, Birdeye, Trustpilot, and fancy CRM (Customer Relationship Management) integrations - but most small businesses don’t need them to get started. Think of these as optional extras, not must-haves. The basics (like using your Google Business Profile, asking customers directly, and maybe adding a QR code) are more than enough to build up reviews without spending extra money. Once you’re comfortable, you can always explore other tools later if you want to make the process more automated.

Email Marketing Platforms

If you already use email marketing software such as Mailchimp, Klaviyo, or HubSpot, you can integrate review requests directly into your campaigns. Personalising these emails by mentioning the product or service they used can dramatically increase response rates and highlight stellar service

SMS Automation Tools

Text messages have higher open and response rates than emails, making them ideal for review requests. SMS automation platforms allow you to segment audiences and track responses, which helps you focus on the people most likely to leave a review.

Survey Tools

Survey platforms like Typeform, SurveyMonkey, or Google Forms can be used to filter your happiest customers before asking for a Google review. A short, simple survey can help gauge satisfaction. High scorers can then be redirected to your review page, while lower scores can be handled privately. This ensures you are targeting the right people and avoiding potential fake reviews.

Social Media Scheduling Tools

Platforms like Buffer, Hootsuite, or Later can help you schedule posts reminding customers to leave reviews. Regular, friendly nudges on social media keep review requests visible without being spammy. You can also include direct links in posts, stories, or pinned content to make it simple for followers to leave feedback.

Integration Tools and CRMs

If you use a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) like HubSpot, Salesforce, or Zoho, you can integrate review requests into your existing workflows. This means you can automatically send review invites after certain actions, like completing an order or resolving a support ticket. Integration ensures consistency and makes review collection part of your daily operations rather than an extra task.

Using the right tools removes friction, saves time, and makes leaving a review almost effortless for your customers. The easier you make the process, the more customer testimonials you will collect, which in turn boosts your credibility, consumer trust, local search rankings, and overall business growth.

Collecting reviews is only half the battle. How you respond can make just as much impact on your reputation, consumer trust, and even future reviews. Responding promptly, professionally, and personally shows that you care about your customers and their experiences.

1. Respond Quickly

Aim to reply to reviews within 24 to 48 hours if possible. Quick responses show customers that you value their feedback and take their opinions seriously. Even a short acknowledgment can make a big difference.

2. Personalise Your Replies

Avoid generic responses like “Thank you for your review.” Mention the customer’s name and reference their specific experience. Personal touches make customers feel heard and valued

3. Be Gracious and Professional

Always thank customers for their feedback, whether it’s positive or negative. Keep your tone polite, professional, and friendly.

4. Address Negative Reviews Constructively

If a customer leaves a negative review, don’t ignore it or get defensive. Apologise if appropriate, acknowledge the issue, and explain what you are doing to fix it. Handling bad reviews well can turn unhappy customers into loyal ones.

5. Keep It Brief and Clear

Your responses should be easy to read. Avoid long paragraphs or complex explanations. Keep it simple, genuine, and to the point.

6. Invite Further Engagement

Encourage customers to reach out if they want to discuss an issue further. This shows you’re proactive and enhances customer experience.

7. Highlight Positive Experiences

When responding to positive reviews, use the opportunity to reinforce your brand. Acknowledge what they loved and subtly highlight your strengths

8. Respond Consistently

Make responding to reviews part of your regular routine. Consistency shows customers that your business genuinely cares about feedback. It also encourages more reviews because people see that their voices are heard.

Google reviews are one of the most powerful tools local businesses have to attract new customers, build trust, and boost visibility. They are not just stars on a page - they act as social proof, search signals, and a direct path to more enquiries.

Getting more reviews does not have to be complicated. By setting up your Google Business Profile properly, asking at the right time, making it easy for customers using Google review widgets, QR codes, surveys, and review request templates, and responding consistently to feedback, you can turn reviews into a growth engine for your business.

At LoudLocal, we help small businesses manage their Google reviews from start to finish. From setting up your profile and generating review links to monitoring feedback and responding professionally, our review management services make it easy to build trust, boost visibility, and grow your business growth.

In 2025, businesses that prioritise reviews will stand out, gain more trust, and ultimately convert more potential customers. Start implementing these strategies today and let LoudLocal help you make the most of your online reputation management.